It’s getting to be the time when we can enjoy flowering shrubs like oleander and azalea. Even animals can’t stay away — and that’s the problem.

For dogs, cats, horses and goats, azalea and oleander are pretty poisons. Oleander contains an agent similar to digoxin [di-jox-in], which has powerful effects on the heart. Signs of toxicity can include neuromuscular, gastrointestinal and cardiological problems. Although azalea contains a different toxin, the signs of poisoning are similar.

An animal can be in serious trouble after taking just a few nibbles of either shrub. Ironically, goats consider azalea a tasty treat, but toxicity hits them hardest. Some other animals can recover from azalea exposure after intensive care, but goats almost always die.

So keep animals safe by keeping them away from oleander and azalea.